1. Definition of REC

• Research Ethics Committees (RECs) are authorised bodies responsible for reviewing research protocols to ensure ethical standards are met.

2. REC Role

• The role of RECs includes:
  • Reviewing research protocols
  • Protecting human subjects from harm during research
  • Safeguarding the wellbeing of animal subjects
  • Safeguarding the environment

3. REC Approval for Student Projects

• REC approval is a mandatory step before initiating data collection for student research projects.

4. Submission Process

• Students and supervisors can request the REC approval form from the Office of RIPS when the appropriate time arises.
• While the form may not be online, students can submit a request to the Office of RIPS, which will then forward it to the REC.

The ethical review process, facilitated by the REC, is a crucial step in ensuring that research projects adhere to ethical standards. Researchers, particularly students, must follow the established procedures for submitting proposals and obtaining approvals before commencing data collection. This process reflects the commitment of UTT to uphold ethical principles in research involving human and animal subjects.

The MPhil and PhD Research Ethics Approvals Procedure

1. Familiarise Yourself with Ethical Guidelines

• Review UTT's ethical guidelines and policies related to research. These documents provide essential information on ethical considerations, participant rights, and the responsibilities of researchers.

2. Develop a Clear Research Proposal

• Clearly outline your research proposal, including the research question, objectives, methodology, and potential ethical considerations. A well-defined proposal will facilitate the ethics review process.

3. Contact Your Academic Supervisor

• Consult with your academic supervisor early in the research planning stage. They can provide guidance on ethical considerations specific to your field of study and research design.

4. Obtain Ethics Application Forms

• Access the ethics application forms from UTT's research office or ethics review board. These forms typically require detailed information about your research, including potential risks and benefits.

5. Complete the Ethics Application

• Fill out the ethics application form thoroughly. Clearly articulate how you plan to address ethical concerns, protect participant rights and data, and maintain confidentiality.

6. Submit the Ethics Application

• Submit the completed ethics application to the Office of RIPS which will forward the application to the designated ethics review board or committee. Pay attention to submission deadlines and requirements outlined in the application guidelines.

7. Ethics Review Process

• The submitted application will undergo a thorough review by the ethics review board. This process ensures that your research aligns with ethical standards and regulations.

8. Address Reviewer Feedback

• If the ethics review board provides feedback or requests modifications to your research plan, address these promptly. Your responsiveness will expedite the approval process.

9. Await Approval

• Once your research proposal receives ethical approval, you will be notified by the Office of RIPS. Congratulations! You are now authorised to proceed with the data collection aspect of your research.

10. Ongoing Ethical Considerations

• Throughout your research journey, remain mindful of ethical considerations. If any modifications to your research plan are necessary, seek approval through the appropriate channels.

Remember, ethical research is foundational to academic integrity and contributes to the advancement of knowledge responsibly. If you have any questions or need assistance during the ethics approval process, don't hesitate to reach out to the Office of RIPS or your academic supervisor.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a serious academic offence that undermines the fundamental principles of academic integrity and individual achievement. UTT is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic honesty and ethical conduct. This warning provides clear guidance on the definition of plagiarism, the consequences of engaging in plagiarism, and UTT's commitment to investigating and addressing instances of plagiarism.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of incorporating, without proper acknowledgment, the work of others or one's own previously assessed original work into one's academic submissions. This includes direct copying, paraphrasing without proper attribution, and presenting someone else's ideas as one's own.

Guidelines: please refer to Appendix 3.

1. Proper Citation

• All sources, including text, images, data, and ideas, must be properly cited using the appropriate citation style specified by the academic unit or programme.
• If the academic unit or programme does not have a policy, UTT generally recommends the use of APA style and format.

2. Avoiding Self-Plagiarism

• Students should not reuse their own previously submitted work without proper citation and approval from the relevant authorities.

3. Paraphrasing

• When paraphrasing, it is essential to express the ideas in one's own words while still providing proper attribution to the original source.

4. Quotations

• Direct quotations must be placed within quotation marks and accompanied by proper citation, including page numbers where applicable.
• For quotations over 40 words, quotation marks are not used, but the text is set apart from the rest of the text as an indented block paragraph.

5. Collaboration

• Collaboration is encouraged, but the contributions of others must be clearly acknowledged.
• Jointly produced work should be appropriately credited.

Personal Accountability

Students are personally responsible for ensuring that they do not engage in plagiarism.

Academic Honesty

Plagiarism is considered academically fraudulent and undermines the principles of academic honesty.

Prevention

UTT provides tools, in the form of plagiarism detection software, to assist in identifying passages of text that could be considered as plagiarised. They can be used as a guide, along with advice from your supervisor.

Awareness

Students are urged to be aware of the definition of plagiarism and its consequences.

Understanding Regulations

It is crucial for students to understand and seek clarification on any aspect of relevant regulations to avoid unintentional plagiarism.

Academic Consequences of Plagiarism

Investigation

Any suspected cases of plagiarism will be thoroughly investigated by UTT.

Penalties

Students found guilty of plagiarism may face severe penalties, including failure of the assignment, course, or expulsion from the programme.

Academic Awards

Plagiarism discovered after termination of the course of study, whether before or after graduation, may result in the revocation of academic awards, as degrees are granted in recognition of personal achievement.

Prevention and Education

• Awareness Programmes: UTT conducts awareness programmes to educate students about plagiarism and the importance of academic integrity.
• Citation Workshops: Workshops on proper citation practices are organised to assist students in mastering the skills of academic writing and referencing.

MPhil and PhD students at UTT are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity. By understanding and following these plagiarism guidelines, students contribute to a culture of honesty, respect, and excellence in research and scholarship.